
VNU Journal of Science: Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 39, No. 4 (2023) 1-15
1
Original Article
Future Rainfall Projections in Vietnam
Based on a CMIP6 Dynamical Downscaling Experiment
Ngo Duc Thanh1,*, Trinh Tuan Long2
1University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology
18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
2VNU University of Science, 334 Nguyen Trai, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, Vietnam
Received 25 September 2023
Revised 24 October 2023; Accepted 21 November 2023
Abstract: This study presents, for the first time, the dynamical downscaled results at 25 km
resolution for Vietnam from a global climate model participating in the Coupled Model
Intercomparison Project Phase 6. The regional climate model (RegCM) version 4.7 was used with
initial and boundary conditions from the global model CNRM-CM6-1 (referred to as CNRM) under
the two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) 2-4.5 and 5-8.5. Simulated rainfall from RegCM
and CNRM for the baseline period 1995–2014 is compared with the observation-based Vietnam
Gridded Precipitation Dataset. The results indicate that downscaling is particularly effective in
complex terrain areas, notably in the Central region during the winter monsoon season. However, in
an overall assessment, the downscaled RegCM rainfall has not demonstrated added value compared
to the CNRM results, whether in terms of annual variation, rainfall amounts, or spatial distribution.
Future projection results until the end of the 21st century show an increase in average rainfall, rainfall
intensity, and annual maximum daily rainfall in Vietnam under both SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5
scenarios. The increase is projected to reach approximately 25% in the Northern coastal area in the
RegCM experiment under SSP5-8.5. The increase in rainfall intensity is pronounced across most of
Vietnam, particularly under SSP5-8.5. Regarding projected maximum daily rainfall, there are
discrepancies between the regional climate model and the global model. While CNRM exhibits
unclear trends in many areas, RegCM indicates an overall increase in maximum daily rainfall across
most of Vietnam under both SSPs scenarios.
Keywords: Climate change, dynamical downscaling, rainfall, CMIP6, Vietnam. *
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* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: ngo-duc.thanh@usth.edu.vn
https://doi.org/10.25073/2588-1094/vnuees.4933